British visitors to the US will be fingerprinted and photographed on arrival from later this year as part of new counter-terrorism measures, American officials announced yesterday.

A programme requiring foreigners to submit photographs and digital scans of each index finger is to be expanded from September to include millions of citizens from 27 US allies, including Britain, Australia, Spain, Italy and Japan.

Adam Ereli, a state department spokesman, said the new measures would be in place at all 115 airports and 14 seaports by September 30. They were a stop-gap until countries began issuing passports containing biometric data. "We believe [the move] will avoid potential disruption to international travel and at the same time _ will help mitigate the security concerns related to extending the deadline for biometric passports," Mr Ereli said.

The US has been steadily stepping up border security since the September 11 attacks. In January it introduced a stringent monitoring scheme of visitors from all but the 27 mainly European countries.

The bombings in Madrid and Istanbul have demonstrated that the Islamist terrorist threat has spread into Europe, and the White House has repeatedly warned Americans that al-Qaida will try to strike again.

The Foreign Office said last night it had been informed in advance of the US move, and said it had "no big problems" with the measures. "It's a matter for them," said a spokesman, adding that British officials were working with US counterparts to ensure that the new measures are introduced "with minimum disruption and maximum safety".

He did not comment on whether Britain would consider reciprocal measures. Brazil responded to the US requirements by fingerprinting American visitors.

US officials insist the fingerprinting only takes a few seconds and does not significantly slow down the entry process.